_isabel_'s reviews
962 reviews

Firestone: The Omega & The Exiled Prince by Claire Cullen

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

Cute!

Claire Cullen's omegaverse romances are always sweet and heartwarming, despite the somewhat darkish themes that are always present in some way. I so wish the omegaverse aspects were developed in a much more coherent omegaverse-y way (apart from the alpha/omega designations and the mpreg, there's nothing else, and that's a shame!), but all in all, this was cute. I adored the first half of the novel (forced proximity, survival, falling for each other through adversities? Yes please!), but the second half was a smidge boring, so I skimmed a lot.
But yeah, all in all, very cute and it put a smile on my face.
I'm looking forward to the second novel

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A Whisper and a Breath by Adelaide Blaike

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

What a ride!
This second installment is so much better than the first one: I wasn't sure I was going to finish off this series, but now I'm pretty sure I have to. The last few chapters were non-stop betrayals and cliffhangers, and I HAVE to know what happens next.

I found "A Whisper and a Breath" much more coherent from a world-building and character-building point of view than the first one, and I adored the writing here (despite some word use that I found a tad anachronistic in the high fantasy setting this series has). So all in all, I'm very happy with how some of things that made me dislike the first book were handled!

Mat and Ren are both infuriating main characters, but I still loved them and I adored their dynamic. Both of them have their share of trauma and vulnerabilities, and it was satisfying to see their relationship progress more, and to see them finally let go of their fears to try and give what they have together a go. Their relationship has a decidedly slow-burn vibe to it, and I can't tell you how many times I wanted to scream out loud at the constant interruptions (be it, Ren's pesky guards or his family, or The Plot™), but I'm sure it will make their HEA even more sweeter (WHEN they manage to get to it *sobs*)

I adored the side characters: I'd die for every single one of Ren's guards, and Starling owns my soul. I AM ANGRY at the sheer unfairness of some of the author's choices though ((view spoiler)), but on the other hand, maybe I got used to all those lovely romance standalones where everyone is happy and whole by the end.
Also, I don't think this book should have been *that* long: despite loving most of it, I ended up skimming by the end because of how long it took to get to the point (impatient much?) and because of the anxiety those last few chapters gave me. I was planning on jumping into book three right away, but I'll give myself a few weeks to recover from that rollercoaster ending.

All in all, despite some niggles, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else this author has in store for Mat and Ren.

TWs/CWs: rough sex, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, attempted rape, childhood abuse, torture, violence, death. 

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At First Spite by Olivia Dade

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challenging emotional funny medium-paced

4.5

"At First Spite" was absolutely LOVELY. Sweet, romantic and funny, but also a punch to the gut in book form, a rollercoaster ride of emotions and complicated, contradictory feelings: I literally spent a few chapters near the middle just weeping out of sheer relatableness.

I immediately preordered this book the second I saw the gorgeous cover, and the absolutely fascinating blurb, despite not reading MF much these days. I admit, I might have been expecting something different based on those alone: more spite, more pettiness, more enemies-to-lovers and in general, for the book to have more of a I-hate-you-but-I'm-crazy-about-you vibe.
BUT, after starting this, I realized I didn't need any of that, and that Olivia Dade had written something more complicated, and more human, than a straightforward hate-to-love dynamic: misunderstandings, assumptions, fear, anxiety, misguided love and protection, every single contradictory emotion you can think of, colour Athena and Matthew's dynamic from the very start, and the reader feels the whole range of it from start to finish, screaming, weeping, sighing and swooning alongside them. They've never really hated each other, but both of them feel that very human desire to defend their squishy core, and their beloved lot, from each other, even at the cost of being mean and petty and rude.
The initial dislike evolves though, because both Athena and Matthew are marvellous, selfless, interesting human beings, and FANTASTIC protagonists, and they inevitably become friends, and then, despite it all, something more.
And let me tell you! What an explosive, interesting, chemistry-fueled, teeth-rottingly sweet, panty-melting,
swoon-inducing romantic dynamic they had. They made the best couple ever.

< “Athena, sweetheart . . .” Boosting herself to her tiptoes, she planted a kiss on his chin. “Yes?” How would a man of vast experience say this? “Lift your skirt,” he said, low and quiet. “Please.” >

I loved them both individually too, so damned much. I've had the best of luck recently with relatable protagonists, and Athena with her mental health struggles, the lack of self-worth and her job-related issues, and Matthew with his anxieties, his loneliness and the terror of losing the people he loves, were both profoundly relatable protagonists: I literally spent entire chapters weeping because I felt SEEN. So I must applaud Olivia Dade for the way she managed to handle such complex, REAL protagonists, and the complex, REAL dynamic they had.

Some of the writing at times was a smidge too flowery for my tastes, and third-act breakups are my Villain Origin Story™, but groveling always makes me a happy gal, so all in all, they didn't spoil my enjoyment. I adored this novel so much; I want to find a Matthew (where do I find a Matthew? *stomps feet*); I adored all side characters to BITS (small town romances and the close-knit community vibes give me SO much joy). I can't wait to discover the next protagonists of this series, but in the meantime I might have to read more of Olivia Dade's backlist.


CWs/TWs: depression, grief/death of a family member. 

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Villain and the Geek by L.C. Davis

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

DELIGHTFUL. I obviously devoured this: even if it were a longer story, I would have still inhaled it start to finish.
If there's one thing I love, it's this (kinda) rejected mate trope and ALLLLLLL the pining from afar, and ALLLLL (I hope) future groveling. I loved that Costantine and Devon's story had this kind of slow-burn start: hopefully Costantine will get his head out of his ass in the next installment, but I'm a sucker for this kind of relationship angst and I can't wait to see him make it up to Devon for his behaviour. I loved Devon: he's very, very different from Brad, and I appreciated it. I can't wait to see him blossom in his new pack.

I loved the side characters soooo much: I want Melody to marry me, and I want Daniel to marry me aswell. They're so fun, and so cute and I loved how sweet they were to Devon. I also LOVED seeing Brad and Raul again, and I'm so damned excited for book two. I think this second arc will have a very different vibe from Brad's one, and I'm all for it. 
Bro and the Beast 5 by L.C. Davis

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

I'm soooooo devastated Brad and Raul's story is over *cries*
This final installment was as wild and entertaining and heartfelt as I hoped. Out of these, it was my least favourite: last books are rarely my favourite, because the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to characters I've come to adore is the worst! And also because it was slightly less funny, and more romantic/cheesy/loving, which are things I usually like, but I was missing Brad's brand of frat bro humour and wild, iconic, stupid behavior: I guess that's what growing up does to you eh?
Anyway, I still loved it and I cannot believe I managed to finish these five books in the span of FIVE DAYS: I know they're short, but I was convinced my brain couldn't manage binge-reading anymore. So yes, I've got to applaud L.C. Davis for writing books that feel like crack: I'm obsessed with this world-building and I'm going to miss Brad and his pack like a lung.
I know there's Devon's story now, so I guess the end won't be as traumatic as I feared, especially considering how much I'm looking forward to reading about him and Costantine, but it will be tough regardless.
I loved these books so damn much. 
Bro and the Beast 4 by L.C. Davis

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Another gem.
As usual, I might have highlighted half of the book. I'm already preemptively bracing myself because I KNOW that the book hangover will be a real bitch to deal with once I've finished off all the available books. I just hope it won't send me in another slump.

If I had the brain power to do a ranking, this one would probably be my least favourite of the series so far: maybe I should have adapted my rating accordingly, but these books have given me so much joy and laughter, and I don't care about being objective. I'm obsessed with this series, and I'm obsessed with this world-building and all the amazing (and ridiculous) characters: Brad's still my fav, but I can't wait to get to know Devon better, Raul's still a dreamboat, and Reese and the rest of the frat bros are iconic, silly, respectful kings. I loved that this one was a bit more plot heavy, slightly more high stakes than the rest, but it managed to remain light-hearted and fun and FUNNY. I seriously can't wait to see what will happen nex 
Bro and the Beast 3 by L.C. Davis

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

I adooooooored this.
I'm loving this series so damned much; I'm now happy I've waited this long to start it bccause not having the next installment straight away would have made go crazy.
Lighthearted, funny, steamy, original, iconic characters: I'm obsessed. I loved going back to the "real" world: I adored getting to know Devon a bit more, and finally meeting all of Brad's frat bros was as hilarious as I expected. I already know the next installment will be as crazy as this one, and I can't wait to see more of Brad's world collide with the book world.
Also, I'm loving the plot development: Constantine sounds like such an interesting villain, and I'm already excited to see what will happen with Devon too.

ALSO, Raul and Brad's romance is *chef's kiss* I love their dynamic to bits, and the steam was STEAMIN' in this installment. The praise kink? Brad finally (albeit reluctantly) accepting his omega status and his sexuality? You go, king!

PS: I don't think I've said this before, but THESE COVERS ARE GORGEOUS. I think this one is my favourite. 
Bro and the Beast 2 by L.C. Davis

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0


I loved this sooooooo much.
Joyful, fun, entertaining, wacky, steamy, lighthearted; the perfect series for my mood at the moment.
Brad, you hilarious, iconic king, I adore you to bits. He's the best kind of frat boy/himbo and I literally could not stop cackling at the sh*t his mind conjures up.
Raul's a dreamboat, and I adore them together. Their dynamic is damned fun, their chemistry is electric, and while I'm not usually a fan of fated mates or insta-love (even though this is more a one-sided insta-love), I loved it in this case: I love that Raul's already completely whipped for Brad, and it makes Brad's behaviour even more iconic and hilarious.
Reluctant, previously straight, frat bro fated mate/pining, earnest hot alpha idiot? My dream pairing. I can't wait to start book three.
Just a Footnote by Maya Jean

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challenging emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What a ride.
"Just a Footnote" is an absolutely impressive, brilliantly written debut and I feel like I've been on the adventure of a lifetime with Aiden and Liam, Archer and Miles: my heart is simultaneously giddy with joy over that ending and heartbroken it's over.

It took me quite a few days to read this through, because I kept feeling the need to savour it, all the words and all the feelings, the love and the heartache, the absolutely incredible found family atmosphere and the gorgeous, complex romance between Liam and Aiden.

I've been so lucky recently with my reads: I keep meeting protagonists that think and feel things that seemed to be plucked straight from my head. My experience with Aiden was exactly like that: even though I spent half of the book wanting to shake him because of how stubborn he was, how blind, he still felt wholly relatable, and his insecurities and his self-doubt, his self-sabotaging instincts, the deep-set certainty of being unlovable and unknowable, the constant fear... I understood where he was coming from even when I wanted to scream in frustration, and I felt and cried alongside him. And his character arc, the growth! Now that's how you do it.

The characters around him were equally impressive and unforgettable. Archer and Miles, and their love story, made me feel so many things despite them being only secondary characters (I LOVE THEM SO MUCH), and Liam... Well, where do I start? Liam's the absolute best. He's the sunshine to Aiden's grumpy; he's got that irresistible golden retriever energy; he's so swoon-worthy I'm actually devastated that he isn't a real man; he's also H O T, and his possessive, mean streak in bed was *chef's kiss*
Yep, I have a huge crush on him.

Aiden and Liam's romance is a rollercoaster ride of pining, heartache, miscommunication and, especially, love. They made me tear up and swoon, and despite wanting to jump into the book to strangle Aiden at times in frustration, I KNOW that overcoming deep-set fears and trauma is never linear, and that convincing yourself that you deserve love and happiness feels impossible sometimes, so I totally understood where Aiden was coming from, and my heart broke over and over for him. Easy isn't realistic, and people are complex, contradictory messes, so I have to applaud Maya Jean not only for the way she depicted their relationship in such a realistic, but still heartfelt, manner, but also for the way she handled Aiden, and Aiden's development as a character.
Also, the writing? Freaking gorgeous.

I'm damned excited to read more by this author. I wonder if her next book will be in this same hockey universe? I hope so, because some minor characters felt promising, and I REALLY want to see Liam and Aiden again.

I wholly recommend.

TWs/CWs: childhood abuse, panic attacks.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Bro and the Beast 1 by L.C. Davis

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

WHY HAVEN'T I STARTED THIS SERIES SOONER? I'm obsessed.
I was in need of something light-hearted, steamy and fun for a quick read before bed last night, and needless to say, I stayed up for two hours and INHALED "Bro and Beast" in a single sitting.
It was hilarious, steamy, wild, ridiculously fun and joyful, and Brad's an absolute icon of a protagonist: he's so damned funny, I think I cackled out loud from start to finish.
In some ways, I'm glad I started this now because I have all the books already available: I can already see myself binge-reading all of these.
If there's one thing I can't resist, it's the Surprise Omega™ trope, and I can already tell that Brad's way of dealing with this *waves hands* situation, will be a marvel to behold. I can't wait to continue.